CPSC Safety Standard on Magnet Sets Takes Effect in April 2015

The Consumer Product Safety Commission’s new safety standard for magnet sets will take effect on April 1, 2015, according to a final rule set to be published in the Federal Register. The commission voted unanimously to approve the standard on Sept. 24 (see 14092602). Under the final rule, magnet sets are “aggregations of separable magnetic objects that are marketed or commonly used as a manipulative or construction item for entertainment, such as puzzle working, sculpture building, mental stimulation, or stress relief.” If a magnet set includes a magnet that fits inside CPSC’s small parts cylinder, the strength of each magnet in the set must fall under certain limits. Individual magnets that are marketed or intended for use as part of a magnet set must also meet the standard.